A few days ago I stumbled across a documentary series entitled ‘American Gospel’. The documentaries are a little long but worth watching. It’s about how the churches in America are spiritually eroding and dying. After decades of being infiltrated by Progressive and New Age ideologues we now have a Christian population in this country who are completely ignorant of the scriptures.
Numerous Christian polls have consistently found that only 20% of Americans have read the entire bible. A Pew Research poll found out of the 2 billion Christians in the world only 30% have read the entire bible. Another poll reveals 82% of American Christians only read the bible while attending Sunday church services.
It’s taken me nearly four years to read the entire Bible. I’ve had to stopped numerous times to let the information rest in my brain. I still have eight books of the Old Testament to finish reading. It is by far the longest and in depth book I’ve ever read. So it’s absolutely mind boggling to me how people who proclaim to be Christian have never read it.
There’s a whole generation of American Christians who don’t actually understand the Gospel and are running around like virtue signaling NPCs blathering on about how “Jesus died for my sins” without having a clue about what that actually means. We have an American congregation whose worship has been watered downed to cherry picking Proverbs for affirmations to post on social media. Every time I see a #Blessed post on social media I want to vomit.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/XCxvSMpwjVYC/
1 Corinthians 15
I’m not sure what your message is. Can you clarify your position on the matter. Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, the covering for the sins of mankind. By his shed blood we can “choose” to be saved. It’s really not that difficult. The 401c3 is whats destroying the church of men. The church of God is incorruptible.
Read the Bible.
And, for a better understanding, read scholars who read the bible.
My position you can’t understand the Gospel and be a Christian if you don’t read the entire Bible. Modern “Christians” be like…
Okay I get it what your saying now. The bible can take a life time to even scrape the suface of the mystery of God. Self proclaimed theologists have it all wrapped up, I on the other hand have read it cover to cover many times in my life. Everytime I read the bible it reveals more meaning and some correction of my previouse understanding.
It all begins and ends with Faith. God never gives a burden to anyone unable to carry it, so we’re given this life to develop our faith muscles before we’re issued our new incorruptible bodies.
Think of life as boot camp. Just make it to graduation and things will improve dramatically!
Your position is wrong…and I can prove it biblically. I’m just not interested in wasting my time on someone who already knows it all.
Go for it. I’ll match you verse for verse.
Jesus Saved thousands BEFORE His Crucifixion. There WAS NO BIBLE at that time.
OBVIOUSLY it is NOT the Bible that saves. It is The Word that saves, and Jesus IS The Word that holds Creation together.
You’re worshiping an instruction manual…and more than likely a corrupted one at that.
1. What scripture says Jesus saved thousands before His crucifixion? How was that possible without the crucifixion?
2. There was a Bible at the time. You know… the Hebrew Bible. AKA The Old Testament. Which is about the creation of the world, the introduction of sin into the world, the prophecies about the coming Messiah. Ever read it?
It burns, doesn’t it? Look at you twisting words and meanings like a banshee in a typhoon!
Answer my questions. What scripture says Jesus saved thousands of people before His crucifixion. How was that possible without the crucifixion?
These aren’t trick questions. Where in the Bible does it say people can be saved without Jesus’ crucifixion?
The hypocrisy of that is mind blowing.
Very good point. The Word is the holy spirit which gives life to all living things. What is the holy spirit, but light and sound, and the Bible is just a part of that.
The Word is not the Holy Spirit.
An aspect of the Holy spirit is more accurate, and yes it is very real. When you experience it for forty five years you’ll know. Read my post below for a more detailed explanation as I do not want to repeat myself.
No. The Word isn’t the Holy Spirit at all. The Word (truth or logos) is Jesus Christ.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:1-5
If you take the first parts of John and Genesis they explain the trinity. God the Creator, the Holy Spirit, and The Word (Jesus) are all separate entities.
Many places in the bible refer to Jesus and the holy spirit as being one. Your not even one time reading is incomplete and even childish. When you go to religious classes, seminars worldwide, and have done spiritual contemplation for 45 years, then you can come back and give me a lesson. See Grace below the three are one. You are taking everything as literal. I am going with my personal experiences besides the bible. Everything is second to personal experience. I personally believe God is to be worshiped not the bible. Grace feels the bible is the last word. I don’t as Satan rules planet earth and everything on it is corrupted. Yes, even the Bible. But that doesn’t mean I think it is worthless. The Kingdom of heaven is within you is one of my favorite lines, and I try to live it everyday.
@AKJOHN
Sigh, let me guess. You’re Pentecostal.
LMAO. Your getting caught up in semantics. What was Jesus’s real teaching. There is a better way. Divine Love. People in his time period only understood revenge, an eye for an eye. Only people who practice the apsects of love: forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, detachment and humility are given the higher aspects of Gods grace.
Same as it EVER was?
The Word is distinct from yet an integral part of the Trinity that is God.
1 John 5:7 KJB… “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Great to see such interest in spiritual things… 😊 Have you watched a “chart lesson”; that is, the Bible from start to finish, summed up neatly? These are fantastic and highly edifying!
https://graceambassadors.com/charts
Look through any of these as you have the time, I can guarantee you’ll enjoy them. Grace and peace…!
Dude, I don’t have a position. But please, I beg you, don’t waist your time.
Actually, I’m done already! And I’m sure you do have a position, and I’m not offended you don’t want to share it in this environment we just created.
Completely understandable.
Not exactly true, but it is true that the entire book is about Jesus Christ from the first book to the last book. Scripture even tells us that explicitly.
@Booger
Since you edited your comment after I replied I’ll address this specifically.
Tell that to the Sadducee.
The churches, synagogues, and temple were built by men. The priests and pastors are men. The only thing that’s incorruptible is Jesus. The only temple that is divine is the body of Christ.
And who wrote the Bible? Incorruptible Jesus? Or was it corruptible Man?
You just gutted yourself with your own argument!
The Bible is divinely inspired. This is Christianity 101. Where’s the scripture arguments you promised? You sound like a petulant atheist!
Still twistin’ words are we? I never said I’d use specific Scripture. I said I could prove it biblically…and I did.
You’re making no sense.
Because he has no idea what he is talking about.
…but hey…it was a shit argument from the beginning anyway. All too predictable.
With all due respect, thats what I was saying. The church of God is incorruptible. Religious organization are always corrupt to some level. That’s why I’m not a religious man. My hypocracy does have limits.
Jesus never described his body as a church. He specifically described his body as the Temple. He specifically references the Second Temple in the passage. This is important because passage foreshadows the Eucharist and the Last Supper. There are BIG differences between churches, synagogues, and the Temple.
It was the Sadducee who controlled and corrupted the Second Temple. It was the Sadducee who made up the Sanhedrin who condemned Jesus to death.
Word salad
Not word salad. It’s proper context. Maybe you don’t understand the Bible was well as you think you do.
Colossians 1:18
Ephesians 1:22
Ephesians 5:23
Luke 22:19-20
Theres more, but you get the picture.
I don’t wish to argue, but it does say that. And you are right, I don’t understand the bible, thats why I keep reading it.
Both Colossians and Ephesians were written by Paul. None of those passages are a direct quote attributed to Jesus.
Luke 22-19:20 doesn’t quote Jesus describing his body as a church. The passage is about the First Eucharist at the Last Supper. Which is what I said was foreshadowed in John. The passage that directly quotes Jesus saying he was going to destroy the Temple and raise it in three days. He specifically describes his body as the Temple.
Don’t accuse me of word salad because you don’t understand the verse.
Okay I meant no disrepect in the use of “word salad”.
Church = (Greek) kyriakos, “belonging to the Lord”
Belive me, I’m not questioning your faith or your understanding. Your personal journey to finding Gods purpose in your life is your buisness not mine.
How is word salad not disrespectful? Please explain it to me.
You can toss out all the Greek words you want Jesus never described his body as a church. He specifically described it as a Temple in direct relation to the Second Temple.
You have to grow some skin in the big leagues. Not everything comes off as intended in the ambiguity of text.
Please explain to me how word salad isn’t disrespectful.
Sorry to offend you, carry on with the Sunday morning lessons. Anything said in the acceptance, or affirmation of God is good and worthy of hearing for meat with the filter of His written word IMO. I will make an effort to remain teachable.
Throwing out parts of the Bible you don’t like or don’t want to agree with?
Didn’t you start this off by recommending people not do that?
Booger recommended verses for you to read. Exactly what you hypocritically started the conversation criticizing others for refusing to do.
Now you place yourself in the position of sole arbiter of which parts of the Bible are valid and which aren’t, and on top of that dictating how it shall be interpreted and how not to interpret it.
Beclowned yourself yet again.
@Anon
I didn’t throw out parts of the Bible. Jesus specifically says in John his body is the Temple. The Temple represents the marriage (covenant) between Heaven and Earth. This isn’t about nitpicking words.
I did read those verses. None of them are direct quotes by Jesus about his body. They’re quotes by Paul while he was setting up the early church. Those are very different things.
Also, there was only one Temple in Jerusalem and it was ran by the corrupt and elite Sadducee class who set up Jesus’s mock trial and condemned him to death. That’s also not nitpicking. The Pharisees were the rabbis in the synagogues. There were no Pharisees on the Jewish court that condemned Jesus to death. The Temple and the synagogues were separate places ran by separate classes of people.
The Bible verses Booger provided were Paul writing to the early churches for the gentiles.
All these things are different.
Jesus is allegedly reported to have said…….. nobody can factually report on anything “Jesus said” at this point. Too many revisions, interpretations, errors, exclusions, rewrites, mistranslations, misinterpretations. And that is just the accidental stuff. Then there is the political motivated re-writes and tossing of entire sections of inconvenient bits.
The Bible is a ~2000 year long “telephone game” or Chinese whispers. Only worse, as it passes through several language translations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_whispers
The Gospel of John was written by… John the Apostle.
Colossians and Ephesians were letters written by Paul.
Literally nobody disputes who wrote them or their accuracy. You clearly have no clue what you’re arguing.
Do post the ORIGINAL gospel text as written. I guarantee you won’t, because you can’t.
Even a simple Wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle
I do, as do others, so your claim is BS.
It is you who “clearly have no clue what you’re arguing.”
Post the ORIGINAL copy of any historical record or document. What about Meditations by Marcus Aurelius or Iniquity of the Jews by Josephus? Do you have original copies of those texts? How about the writings of Tacitus or Plutarch? Just because something is thousands of years old and has been translated doesn’t mean it’s not accurate.
You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about and I’m no longer responding to you.
Pathetic effort at distraction and turn about. Noted you post nothing to back your assertion while attempting this.
Of course. I expect no less from an arrogant yet ignorant pathetic coward such as yourself.
Holy Fuck! Nice own goal with a dash of strawman there.
Which is more likely? That translation improves or degrades the accuracy of the message?
Bravely run away now SS.
BTW
You are wrong. No wonder you run away.
Your arguments are unoriginal and boring.
Yours are non-existent. Just assertions with zero backing. No debate, just you making a fool of yourself while you attempt to distract from your epic stupidity.
You never change.
Arguing with you is like arguing with a tedious ex who’s looking for attention.
What argument? You make asinine statement and refuse to or are incapable of defending them. That is not argument or debate, it is arrogant stupidity. Something you seem to have mastered.
Really??!! — You had to drop an “F-bomb” in a discussion like this?
Wikipedia, a trustworthy source to be sure /s
So which part of the Wiki is wrong? Simply sarcastically mocking Wiki without specifics is a meaningless effort at distraction or insult with no substance. Sad. Show what is wrong
I simply posted it to show the idiocy of SS;
Where should I be looking that is better than Wiki? Why not post it?
Anyone can edit Wiki. It’s nearly useless, except to mock.
The Dead Sea Scrolls show the accuracy of scripture. You want to learn something, No Name? Listen to Michael Heiser, or don’t. I don’t give a shit.
Always.
You? Apparently don’t think you need to.
Typically posted by those trying to convince themselves they don’t, while they obsess.
You stepped into the shit, putting yourself on the same level as SS. You should be ashamed.
Why? Are you Stephanie’s judge? What are you judging?
If you would actually listen to Heiser, then I apologize. Would you?
If not, why should I care? I put stuff out there and one can pick and choose what they want. On the other hand, Wiki? Really? That’s all you got?
I could throw the obsession thing back at you but when you are a no name, it’s hard to tell who is making what comment.
No. Plenty more. But first, show me what is wrong with the Wiki. You are the one claiming it is wrong. WHY? Specifically.
If it isn’t wrong, why would I need to show anything else?
Ignoring the context of you claiming “I don’t give a shit.” while I made no such claim?
Paul speaks with the authority of Jesus, because Jesus is giving him the words. He makes clear in the few instances he inserts his own thoughts and opinions. The word Apostle in the Greek comes from the Hebrew which conveys a similar meaning to power of attorney. It is a trusted office where the Apostle is granted the full authority of the one who sent him (Jesus). There is another sense of the term that is more like messenger, so when speaking of an apostle, it is important to make the distinction between an apostle of Christ (only 12 plus Paul) or an apostle of a church.
Your getting caught in Semantics again. In modern day language, church and temple mean the same thing. As Souls made in God’s image we are all Temples for God.
Adam was made in Gods image. He then followed after the things of the world and not after God. His children were made in the image of fallen Adam, just as we are.
Salvation is the event which places the believer judicially back into the originally intended Godly image.
Genesis 5:1-3 KJB… “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:”
The freak’s running this world might want to attend to these verses as well; male and female created He them.
I am referring to Soul which God made, not the physical body. I knew you before you were clearly refers to Soul which is made in Gods image and is immortal. Your referring to the physical body. The physical body is not immortal and not made in Gods image. Yet the physical body contains Soul which enlivens it.
It’s just another anti-church anti-religious screed by OP. Par for the course.
How is “read the entire Bible” anti-church and anti-religious?
Being saved by the precious blood of Jesus is simple but it’s not easy. Putting your foolish pride away to trust Christ as your Saviour is hard to do. Remember the center letter in pride-I. I was just 2 months short of my 36th birthday in 1983 before I accepted him as my Saviour. He changed a dope soaked alcoholic into a child of the King that day. I was immediately released from my dope addiction and alcoholism and have never slid back on that one time in 40 years. God is Great! Jesus saves those who desire to be with him in heaven and to forsake the devil and his deviate ways.
Balbinus: — Thank you for sharing your testimony with all of us here.
Jesus Christ’s shed Blood, death, and Resurrection from the dead is MUCH MORE than just “the covering for the sins of mankind.” It is, indeed, the full and total payment for the sins of mankind.
501C3 you mean?
Modern Christian services are just a happy pick-me-up for most people. They go to service, the pastor talks about love and kindness. How we don’t have to worry cause we’ll be raptured any minute now (don’t hold your breath) before the tribulation. Really, it’s just ‘Don’t worry, God has it all under control. Just sit back and do nothing.’
Knowledge-Care-Action…the real trinity.
I’m a Christian and one thing that deeply bothers me is there are many “interpretations” of the Bible. Why do I need a decoder ring to understand it? My sister and father have read the Bible, go to church, teach sabbath school classes, go to vespers and we all went to private Christian schools. No one agrees on the scripture.
There’s actually not a lot of interpretations of the Bible. It’s really simple. All sins are debts that must be repaid. Either they’re repaid through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross and you must repent and stop sinning or you stay rebellious and decay spiritually on Earth and suffer God’s wrath after a physical death.
What people don’t agree on is whether or not to accept the Bible in its entirety. That’s why they yammer on about being inclusive. Everybody wants to go to Heaven without Jesus, faith, or repentance of sin. Nobody wants to go to Hell or suffer God’s wrath for all eternity but they don’t want to obey God and stop sinning. They don’t want to be condemned but they also don’t want to do what’s required to be saved.
All debts must be repaid. That’s exactly what the Hindu’s call Karma, and yes Jesus talked about Reincarnation, said he was Isaiah reborn
Honest question: is Christs blood not sufficient payment? Must I then add to that ultimate sacrifice to insure my place in heaven?
Please don’t think I’m excusing sin, I’m not.
Romans 6:1-4 KJB… “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
My contention; it is impossible to “stop sinning”. We exist on a sin cursed earth, are surrounded by sinful people and inhabit sin bred bodies. See Romans chapter 7. What we should do (should bring the critically operative word) is walk in newness of life; walk as God now sees us, perfect in His Son. That too does not always go according to plan…
Did Jesus not say “Go and sin no more” or did I misread that? You aren’t fully repentant of a sin if you continue to commit that sin.
He indeed did. Was Jesus talking to you in the “red” letters however? The answer, and most do not want to hear this, is no. Christ speaks to us via the apostle He sent to us, Paul.
Romans 15:8 KJB… “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:”
Romans 15:16 KJB… “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”
I have no idea what you’re getting at here. I don’t see how Paul has anything to do with Jesus telling multiple people to stop sinning. He doesn’t ever tell people to continue to sin.
^^ That was me.
Following the correct instructions from God is critical, no? Jesus, in His earthly ministry was dealing directly with “His own”, the nation Israel. The instructions He gave to them are for them. He also told them to sell all that they had; to remove offending appendages (does thy hand or eye offend thee, cut it off), etc. No one today has done such things, and for good reason.
Our instructions from God (we being Gentiles removed from the nation Israel) are received from Paul, as Jesus sent Paul to minister to us. He sent 12 apostles to the 12 tribes; He sent 1 to us.
To mistake another’s instructions for our own is the root cause of the confusion and decay of the church in the world today.
No one Godly instructs anyone to sin. If all the church knew that Paul was our pattern, the world would be a far better place. The inspired words of God as penned by Paul…
1 Corinthians 11:1 KJB… “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Paul isn’t God. He’s not God of the gentiles. He has as much authority as Moses, Daniel, or Isaiah. I really don’t know what you’re trying to convey here. The entire Bible both Old and New Testament is the Word of God. Either all of it is the truth or none of it is the truth. God is the national God of Israel. There’s no removing God from Israel.
Paul is one servant of God and he was picked to minister to the gentiles because he had Roman citizenship. He could move around the Roman Empire in ways the other Apostles couldn’t. This doesn’t make him anymore important than all the other humans in the Bible chosen by God to be His servant. It doesn’t make his letters more important than any other book in the Bible.
Did you hear me say that I thought Paul was God??? Say that the Bible was anything less than Gods perfect preserved word?
I said, Paul was our pattern. Not Jesus in the red letters.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 KJB… “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”
Why put so many workin my mouth? Just trying to converse here.
Again, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say here. Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” He said it more than once. WTF does that have to do with Paul? The Bible is about Jesus and what Jesus did and said. Jesus is the main character not Paul.
Have you stopped sinning Stephanie?
Nope. I also haven’t repented or been baptized either. It still doesn’t change what Jesus said.
If you look at my first comment to you, you’ll see that I’m in agreement as to what Jesus said. If however you attempt to receive salvation someday by your efforts at ceasing sinful behavior, you are in for an extremely frustrating time.
I say this because you wrote…
…and I assumed you were referring to your own experience. Forgive me if I were wrong.
Was there anything in my statement that was false?
SS
The grace country paster is implying/stating that the apostleship of Paul represents a specific biblical dispensation of how God parlays with humanity – specifically with the Gentiles. In certain eschatological teachings God relates to man through “dispensations”. i,e., arrangements; dispensation of innocence; dispensation of the Mosaic law; dispensation of grace, etc. The grace country pastor describes a dispensation to the Gentiles via Paul.
By example, Jesus instructed his disciples to go and baptize converts (a formalism), whereas under Paul’s authority as witnessed to the Gentiles your faith in Christ is all that is needed. That is the essence of what the grace country pastor is implying. It is the Roman Road.
@gadsden
You do understand that the God of the Bible is the national God of Israel. He sent His Son to the cross to die for the sins of His people the Israelites. He didn’t send His Son to die on the cross for the gentiles. The Bible isn’t about Paul and the gentiles. At the center of the Bible is Jesus and Israel.
GCP is being shady with his implications.
@SS
This should do nicely – at the center of the bible is astrotheology
People need to learn to rightly divide the Bible according to the Pauline pattern of Godly edification.
Boom!
@Anon
That’s blasphemy. The entire Bible is God’s Word. The Bible is Christ-centered not Paul-centered.
AMEN!!, GCP!!!!
Amen, GCP!!
Sanctification occurs after salvation. The Triune God created privacy of sanctification.
One purpose of sanctification is for the Creator to choose when an individual (a vessel in the process of sanctification) is used for Holy purposes.
Thank you for saying this, GCP!!
Why? I can tell you why, but YOU are not going to accept it because it does not paint you in a flattering light. I will say this much…there was a REASON Jesus ONLY taught in parables.
When you discover what that reason is, you will either accept it and become free, or you will reject it out of Pride and remain enslaved to yourself and to Satan. The choice is always yours alone.
I salute you for your courage and your honesty in simply asking the question.
I have a question of my own for you…what makes you claim that you are a Christian? Most of us know the answer to the question you’ve posed. I don’t doubt your sincerity. I question the methodology of your reasoning on the matter…and I would like to help if I’m allowed.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs -16:18
Let those with ears hear, and eyes see. There are NONE so blind as those who WILL NOT see.
Ironic that this is often voiced by “believers”.
Not “knowers” but believers.
Ah, the mystery of Christ’s metaphorical parables. Wonderfully descriptive and mysterious to people who would rather perceive things in a straightforward, literal manner. The answers are there, you simply have to put the Lord’s words into the proper context to understand His meaning. In Matthew 13 He even explains it for you in practical terms, simply read more!
The Bible isn’t a “TL;DR” type of text for speed readers. It has to be read from a certain historical perspective, and even then, due to our contemporary viewpoints, some of the social and cultural aspects may remain cloaked. It has to be read multiple times on a regular basis. As you mature and get older, some things hidden from you will be illuminated more clearly. Some of the things not understood clearly will be the political and social motivations of the main characters in the Bible. For clarification one must dig further into accepted biographical histories, biographies, and etymologies to grasp even more.
If you cannot understand, ask Him for guidance and clarity. Sleep on it. Get a nice text with a Concordance, it’s a wonderful addition.
Lastly, read it as if you were a thirsty child seeking a cold glass of water, but a patient one who has a huge and wonderful vocabulary with a rich imagination. It helps.
There’s a tinge of sarcasm here I’m certain I don’t care for…centering around your first paragraph.
Indeed. The people the various books were written to understood what they were hearing from the prophets and apostles. It was a very different culture and time.
We lost a great scholar when Michael Heiser died a few months ago. But he has volumes of work available on youtube and at his website.
You will find:
Here you can find all of his weekly podcasts beginning in 2015. Some scholars are possibly going to keep the podcasts going.
That last paragraph is beautiful. It’s called contemplation of the spiritual works.
“When you discover what that reason is, you will either accept it and become free, or you will reject it out of Pride and remain enslaved to yourself and to Satan.”
I don’t think it would be wise for my to have this discussion with someone who has already judged me. “Judge not, lest thee be judged”.
Jesus spoke in parables so that the religious people of the day would NOT understand Him.
Matthew 13:10-11 KJB… “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
Yes, Protestants are all over the page, and have been so for 500 years now…and they’ll keep reinventing the Christian wheel, until they finally get back to the Pagan square… smh..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT-uyHaApMU
Amazing isn’t it?
The absolute certainty of some, requiring staggering amounts of interpretation, AKA making shit up to fit a belief or agenda, but is claimed to be an accurate and “the word of God”.
Seems God was a shitty writer or the scribes were shitty documenters.
The arrogance of “My interpretation is correct” type statements I see here regularly is extreme.
I wonder what God thinks of those who so arrogantly speak for him, yet are entirely wrong.
Some tips
scripture explains scripture.
Context, context, context.
understand descriptive text vs prescriptive text.
Know the Bible is about Jesus, not you.
Understand the difference between exegesis, eisegesis, narcigesis. This is a big one.
Good tips. and do not worry or get hung up about translations too much, I like to read them all as I can not read or understand Greek very well. The Holy Spirit or Comforter will guide one that has been Born Again.
1 John 2:20-21 Amplified Bible
” But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because He teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error]. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie [nothing false, no deception] is of the truth….”
They raised the debt ceiling after you said they wouldn’t. Say you’re sorry.
Indeed. She can’t be trusted in the small things. How foolish would we have to be to trust her with true matters of importance?
She wants to “vomit” because there are people out there who don’t Christian as hard as she does. 😂
I’ve never proclaimed to be a Christian. I’ve never been baptized. I’ve stated numerous times I’m not religious. I don’t have to be religious to be repulsed by hypocrites and virtue signalers.
Witch.
I was baptized and baptism is a meaningless ritual. Religions are just social organizations. Everyone has their own Spiritual journey, and it is not a joke. What is my place in the universe are questions all serious people need to explore. If you noticed, I am not giving you traditional Christian answers. Yet I believe in many aspects of Christianity and I do read the Bible every few years. My religion is called Eckankar, which means Coworker with God. Jesus’s first Teacher was Zadok, he’s referred to in the Bible. He was given his second initiation by the Variagi adept Fubbi Quantz, and told to go on and teach the world what he knew of Eckankar. He taught it directly to his apostles, and used parables for the masses. Eckankar has a series of spiritual exercises that give you contact with the holy spirit, light and sound. This is the viewpoint I am coming from, and it’s very similar to Christianity. There is one God, etc… Quite frankly, Christianity just leaves out the good stuff. You see it’s only for the priests. Except now it is so corrupt that even the priests, ministers,and clergy do not know how to contact the holy spirit. There are a few exceptions. Check out Padre Pio, a Catholic Saint who was reported in two different places at the same time, like Jesus.
Who ever down voted me. You need to do your homework. I gave you 45 years of Wisdom, and every word is 100% true.
Can she be Trusted with the amount of patience required to Debate without quitting and doing so properly? Right or wrong, Fuck Yes.
In 2017 a journalist at Intellectual Takeout wrote Book Virgins are college recruiters targets for enrollments. Specifically, Book Virgins are provided with books to read before college bc they are literally Book Virgins.
Stephanie has nearly read the whole Bible.
THanks, Stephanie, for a very thought provoking post. Am listening whilst I work.
On Sunday. .
20% of Americans have read the entire bible? Or did you mean that 20% of American Christians have read the bible?
I don’t even believe that. If I had to guess, less than 5% of American Christians have read the entire bible. And most of those are over 70 years old.
I know I haven’t. Mea culpa.
I wrote it correctly. It says 20% of Americans have read the entire Bible. I don’t think you’re accounting for the atheists who read to argue against it or people who once identified as Christians but no longer do.
Most people don’t have an interest beyond anything they can see and touch. So, I am very happy to communicate with anyone with any spiritual interest. Most Christians don’t even know the three kinds of prayers. Positive Negative, and Neutral, and which one is most effective. An institute did research, and Neutral is the best. Thy will be done is the attitude you should have when you pray.
I haven’t read the complete bible, because of the esoteric monotony of most of it. I generally rely on scholars to interpret the meaning… ’tis why Protestantism is a frikkin’ mess these days…everybody feels like a spirit led them to something the ancient Church fathers had yet to discover.
It’s called Churchianity, Stephanie.
Btw, you never took my bet so you don’t owe me a dollar but I can still say I told you so. Debt ceiling fight was just a show for the kids at home. It means nothing.
She could never admit she was wrong.
I actually wish she would have been right. It would have been much more entertaining and I’m not afraid to say I was wrong about something.
But alas, the damn congress did what I figured they would, useless pieces of shit.
Finally you get the method to my madness. Always go with the more entertaining option. I wanted to see someone get caned on the Senate floor or someone get into a duel again.
Oh that would be so awesome! Sigh, I doubt it will happen but we can hope.
Yes but what did Q say about it?
🤣
Happy Pride month…my pronouns are Leviticus 20:13 and 1 Kings 15:12
Southern Baptist defends the faith with buttsex and anal lube. ‘Tis why I no longer take Protestantism seriously. Fag face is real.
“Russell D. Moore, the former president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and the current editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, recently wrote an article for that magazine entitled “Don’t Pretend the Ugandan Homosexuality Law Is Christian.” In the article, he condemns both the recently passed anti-sodomy law in Uganda and criticizes Christians in the West that support the measure. ”
You are rapidly running our of belief systems to ridicule. I suppose we’ll have to deduce YOUR denomination by process of elimination. Time will tell, even if you don’t.
Are you confusing denominations with Christian belief?
lol…you Langley bots aren’t a particularly bright lot …smh.
Churchianity Today. FIFY
A coworker and I both found ourselves working under an atheist manager. I thought I had a temper! This guy was off the fucking hook…walking around with gout cursing God for his misfortune throwing shit all over the shop. It was crazy. Anyway, my coworker was a young Christian whose favorite zinger was “Read Leviticus”.
Sent that atheist right over the edge EVERY TIME! It was hilariously predictable.
Fact. Atheists are mentally ill.
There is no God. But the government or themselves are their God.
On par with the standard “arguments” and “proof” from the religotard assholes.
I try and start every day of every week off with this; sometimes I get otherwise occupied from the outset and forget, but we all need this.
Knowing that most statistics on the Internet are made up on the spot I read that 50% of people who hold 4 year degrees never read books once out of schooling.
Also how any thinking person could read the Bible and still be a member of any organized religion baffles me……..
I thought I should at least read one gospel in my life, and then I read the other three right after words. I’m less “Christian” than when I started, but my relationship with God is way stronger. There is much to be found in the pages of the bible, but not everything.
Well said. Once you read the Bible and understand it a bit, you are now in first grade God so loves us that he made a path for every consciousness.
Good post Stephanie.
I too have found most claim to be something they are not. IMO, the ‘Church’ has been infiltrated with false teachers, prosperity wankers, charismaniacs and sign seekers. They are equally hedonistic but putting a biblical slant on it means its ok.
We’re not accepted in a few local churches, not because of heretical teachings but because we hold to reading scriptures, being accountable, being honest, following Christ as the name Christian is supposed to imply. We don’t play religion and don’t follow men of any stripe, we follow biblical principles and shoulder with them that do likewise.
The idea that because there are many interpretations of scripture it some how proves the entirety is made up and therefore bogus. We know that argument is rubbish too. I actually have little issue with the differing scriptural interpretations, the ones not obviously heretical. The ones with the intentional heresies like the Message are ignored.
The versions like the New International are super simple and generally for nonreaders to start somewhere. But fail hard and early for persons looking for truth. New American Standard, King James (New), Young’s Literal etc all are great for reading and the differences, how ever minor, just means those that read and seek have iron to sharpen iron.
Anyrate, thanks for your honesty and postings.
Among the early accomplishments of Jesus’ mission? Recruiting professional fishermen…great people to know if you want access to lots of fish.
________
Milk is for children.
Solid food is for adults.
Without an illustration he would not speak.
________
Have read the bible several times since 1991.
Multiple translations, two English/Greek interlinears and one English/Aramaic.
Plus Strongs concordance, along with The Two Babylons, by Alexander Hislop and Religions of America by Leo Rosten.
________
From my personal experience, the majority of religions seem filled with people who worship the idea of religion, shower themselves with God’s love and forgiveness, but ignore the instructions of same directed outward.
I had been one of these also.
Until I put down those divisions.
And accepted the reality of humanity on earth.
Alexander Hislop
https://www.ldolphin.org/PDFs/The_Two_Babylons-Alexander_Hislop.pdf
Leo Rosten
https://books.google.com/books?id=DiqRzwEACAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Why fishermen? Precession of the equinoxes. Leaving Ares (ram, sacrificial sheep, shepherd) and entering Pisces (fish, fisher of men, fish as a symbol of Christ). Prior to Ares, Taurus the bull hence mythraic motif.
Why 153 fish caught in John 21:11. Vesica Piscis.
Coming up soon is Aquarius. It is an air sign and is portrayed as a pouring out of water. Perhaps Jesus returning via the sky and God pouring out spirit?
Profesional fishermen sure would come in handy, if the need for a quantity of fish ever came up.
and mathew was a tax collector – handy friend to have if you need a few roman shekels
its been awhile since i read hislop. i believe he touched on some of the bull-sheep-fish thing
(as regards the taurus period – who can forget the golden calf)
Stephanie – Our pastor is a strong believer in a daily quiet time which includes reading the Holy Bible, soul searching and praying to God. A few years ago, our church spent a year reading & journaling 1 chapter of the New Testament, 5 days a week and the Pastor would pick out his favorite passage from those readings for the Sunday message. It was truly an inspirational year for many of us and quite satisfying to know that a thousand other people were reading/studying the same passages each day.
You are definitely taking the correct approach to reading the Bible. Taking it slow and studying the Word is the best way to understand God’s plan for us.
Thanks. I’ve been reading it slow to make sure I understand it. I could read it in a week if I just read the words. I’ve been reading the books according to commonalities. What I have left are the major prophets as well as Psalms and Proverbs. I’ve got a really big commentary that I’ve been studying with and I’ve been watching Tim Mackie lectures. He’s really good at breaking down the books so it reads more as literature to be able to understand the story, themes, and how to cross reference the New and Old Testament. His Bible Project videos are also very good to watch as a summary.
The New is in the Old hidden, and the Old is in the New revealed.
That… is what I’m finding to be true. That’s why I’m so confused why people who claim to be Christian don’t read the entire Bible. The two texts work together pretty well to prove all the claims.
What I have found is that its mentally challenging to wrangle and dig the truth out of both texts than is worth the time and effort most just aren’t willing to expend. They have been conditioned by false teachers to be happy with the westernized spoon feeding they get in the church today.
So you hear the arguments that the Old is for the jews and the New is for christians. When in fact a collection of texts, written by men from hated tax collectors to kings over the span of a couple thousand years, authored by One, is for all our benefits. It is historical, allegorical, poetic and instructional, all centered on who God is and what is His plan is for us spiritual beings in this human experience. Oddly enough the texts we call the Bible today corroborate very well with each other.
Anyrate, keep forging ahead.
Let me ask you a question. One of the things I can’t figure out is when Satan was kicked out of Heaven and when the War of Heaven happened. Satan was able to freely move between Earth and Heaven at least until the time of Job. Jesus said he witnessed Satan being cast out in Luke before the cross. There were numerous times he said something would happen right before it did in the gospels.
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18
Did the War of Heaven happen during the crucifixion?
Satan was the tempter of Eve, so had to have been kicked out of heaven before the creation of man. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the angels existed before earth was created.
Isaiah 14: 12-14 & Ezekiel 28: 12-18 have commentaries on the fall.
@TN
If Satan was kicked out before the creation of man how did he talk to God in the book of Job? How was Satan cast out of Heaven like lightning when it had never rained on Earth prior to the fall?
[5] Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground [6] but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Genesis 2:5-6
There three ways to consider all Bible stories, and also goes for every religion. Literal, figurative, and allegory. To me it’s an allegory. Souls were created by God in Heaven. I knew you before you were is the Bible quote. We were all banished like Satan, in a way, to get spiritual experience in the lower worlds. The real Worlds of God have no Karma. SO learning is limited. When we are perfected Souls we get to return to God. Luke’s experience was for Luke. God was letting him know there is always a battle between good and evil.
That’s not Biblical at all. Karma isn’t in the Bible.
“reap what you sow” sounds like karma
@gadsden
Nah, that’s just cause and effect. Karma is a Hindu belief about reincarnation.
it is rooted in C&E – but carries to reincarnation.
“Karma is a concept of action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences.01 It refers to the principle of cause and effect, wherein the intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual.”
You really are a novice on this topic . Karma is just another word for sin, cause and effect. Karma is really a much better word than sin is why people use the word. Original sin is the same thing as original Karma. The teaching are the same. If you have a better understanding of Karma or sin your life will get much better. As a matter of fact. my life is almost perfect after working on the spiritual path for 45 years. Again go back to Jesus’s teaching. Love bypasses sin or at least eases it.
IMO, We get stuck in timelines mostly because we are linear and subject to time. With God there is no restriction of time because He sees everything outside of time limitations, hence the beginning and the end references. Alpha and Omega. This also explains how God can know us before we’re born as well. That is also why we are seated in heavenly places in God’s eyes but are we there yet?? No. WE are still moving thru time and will get there.
We know certain things about Lucifer, he’s the Destroyer, the Adversary, the Dragon of old, the Serpent, the Accuser. Is he all these literally? No but its fodder for those that like to mock, which we are all aware of, the talking snake..
My opinion is satan has access to God because hes the accuser who brings false charges and condemnations against the saints. We don’t know when the angels were created, and this brings in the pre-adamic false teaching and eastern mysticism thats often repackaged into biblical terminologies. Like contemplative prayer and astral projection.
I have found God is more concerned with the eternal, our souls/spirit. So to me the character of Christ is primary and not whether Adam had a belly button or how much coin was in the money changers coffers before Christ upset the tables.
When we have drawn our last breath here, is when we’ll have all that information to freely draw on. I’m getting the whole dvd blueray set, I want to see it from beginning to end. Less the abject evil displays. But thats just me.
My question was strictly in the Biblical text. Revelation confirms there was a War in Heaven and Satan was cast out. It just doesn’t say when this happened specifically. I wonder if it happened during the crucifixion because in Luke it says that Satan entered into Judas. It would change the story if Satan’s act of pride wasn’t tempting Eve but trying to kill Jesus’ while he was human in an attempt to overthrow Heaven. I would think trying to kill Jesus was a much bigger offense and demonstration of pride than tempting Eve.
I would say its a possibility, can’t be discounted. But is it THE battle spoken of? I don’t know but do know that there is a constant battle ongoing, as when the archangel Michael was delayed bringing a message because of a battle.
I know satan’s understanding of scripture is darkened, otherwise he wouldn’t have tried to kill Christ. But I’m sure he thought by killing Christ that death would hold him in Sheol. The big battle is yet to come. Timelines again, when?? We don’t know when but we know it will be.
This is really a deeper topic than can be discussed in a comment section. But kudos to you for broaching it.
It’s really the only aspect of the Bible I don’t understand. If Satan tried to kill Christ and was cast out at the time of the crucifixion it would mean the he would’ve been denied full access from God and fully Earth bound for the past 2,000 years. It would definitely change the context of the story if Satan still had access to God and Heaven after the fall of Adam and Eve. Genesis only says God cursed the serpent and said the serpent was more crafty than the wild animals. It doesn’t say the serpent was an angel. For all we know the serpent could’ve been possessed by Satan or doing Satan’s bidding but not Satan himself. If he tried to kill Christ and had foreknowledge of Christ’s sacrifice then that would mean he also blasphemed against the Holy Spirit (considering the Holy Spirit dwelt in Jesus and an attack on humanity itself would be an attack on the Holy Spirit) and committed the unforgivable sin.
A possible scenario: the adversary was locked out from the highest level(s) of heaven while still allowed to roam in the lower levels till his time ran/runs out. Paul referred to multiple levels of heaven.
Thanks. I’ll have to look into that.
The real technique is to do a quick read and get an overview. The each reading is more thorough. This allows for the expansion of consciousness you get with each reading.
Very well put. If you are not doing a quiet time for reading, soul searching, and praying to god, all three together are called contemplation, then you are not practicing you religion, no matter what it is. Prayer, Meditation, and contemplation are the three tools for Spiritual growth. If you don’t do them their is no growth or understanding of God or our place in it’s world. TNP. It sounds like you are the only person in this group who has a real Pastor. It’s all based on the kingdom of heaven is within you.
It’s not just the Christian places of worship. The Jewish places of worship are being destroyed as well, especially the “Conservative” branch. They are the in the grey area between the Orthodox and the Reformed.
The “new religion” of SECULAR Jews is Progressive Liberalism and it is destroying Judeo-Christianity everywhere EXCEPT amongst the VERY religious. Same thing for the SECULAR Christians.
Sadly, the secular are the majority.
Judeo-Christianity is a made up term. No such things exists. Jews do not appreciate linking Judaism with Christianity unless it benefits them in some way.
Whenever I see that term it’s like fingernails on a blackboard.
Very right. All religions are being destroyed and replaced with government, the new God.
Thanks for posting Stephanie – here are some good links to enhance any future study……these links WON’T be your usual BS.
https://freegrace.in/new-series-eternal-doubt/
https://freegrace.in/content/?_sft_untag_collection=eternal-doubt&sort_order=date+desc
https://freegrace.in/chapter/salvation-and-discipleship-introduction/
https://www.youtube.com/@heatherr6475/playlists
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/
Poke the beehive.
The sun is born each morning from the sea (la mer, as in maritime, marine, Mary). The sun arcs across the heavens from the horizon (Horus Sun), dies at sunset (Set, the lord of the dark, murderer of Horus).
I know some people who consider themselves very good Christians who have never read the Bible. Their knowledge of Christianity is almost none. It is nothing to read it. You must read it and contemplate on it’s meaning, and when possible discuss it with others. Then you are a Christian, not before. Most Christians do not even know what the holy spirit is or the three ways you can experience it. Mentally, Light, and Sound. Mentally is the knowingness you have that gives you faith in God, and that God loves you. An example of the light is Paul on the road to Damascus, and Sound was at the Pentecostal. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. I have experienced all three, and the connection with the holy spirit through Sound is the greatest connection you can have. That’s why most churches have music in their programs. Connection with the light is cosmic consciousness. Paul talked about it in his prayer. Though I have the gift of Prophecy and know all things with Love I am nothing. Connection with the light and Sound leads to even higher states of consciousness called Self Realization and God Realization. This will shock many of you. But their are books way beyond the Bible, and yes I do believe the Bible was divinely inspired. But of course it has been corrupted every time a new version has come out. “The Flute of God” is basically a lesson book on how to be the prodigal son and have cosmic consciousness, and I experienced the Flute of God after reading it.
Once you get on the spiritual path, your life will never be the same, and I am saying this in a wonderful way. God has a beautiful plan for all of us, and it starts for most of us in the Western World with reading the Bible. I was about 10 the first time I read it. Many blessings to Stephanie for starting out the day on a great topic. It shows the Holy spirit is with her. The three tools for spiritual growth in all religions are prayer, meditation, and contemplation based on the works of your religious teaching. Two awesome quotes from Rebazaar Tarz. Only the bold, courageous, and strong can have heaven, and no one is ever all right about their belief in God or also all wrong.
If you go to big seminars like I have for the last 40 years. This is what people who have experienced the holy spirit talk about. They come from all walks of life and every religion. this is a book by the lady who was saved by dolphins. Every story is absolutely wonderful and a testimony of Gods love.
https://www.bullmoose.com/p/14518107/anne-archer-butcher-inner-guidance-our-divine-birthright
If there is one thing Stephanie is NOT, it’s a coward.
The woman plants two feet and makes her stand.
Indeed. Often directly in her mouth.
Which anonymous are you?
The anonymous one.
That’s better camo than real tree.
Read the Bible all you want.
It takes a real encounter, knowing, & fellowship with Christ.
He is real, he is alive, He IS the Living Word.
You’re a different anonymous, right?
I’m just an over the hill blue collar guy. Would one or two of the bright people who comment here help me sort the anonymi?
.
Just drove past a church in red state Kansas with it’s columns wrapped in multi-color balloons…celebrating gay month in the name of tolerance I imagine.
Amen, Amen. I have heard of this documentary from Pastor Chris Rosebrough, but I haven’t seen yet.
I am very impressed with this man so I have been binging on his sermons, podcasts, and youtube channels.
Here are some links
http://www.kongsvingerchurch.org/sermons/
http://www.piratechristian.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@Fighting4theFaith/featured
His Fighting for the Faith channel is where he reviews bad theology, false teachers, apostates of all stripes, and then provides actual Biblically sound explanations of scripture using various tools. He is worth looking into and I really doubt anyone could fault him on his faithfulness to scripture.
Watching some of his F4F stuff, I get the impression that false apostate Christianity may be at least as popular as the real thing. But I am thankful he is spreading his teaching ministry.
Why make things so formalistic, esoteric and complicated?
What exactly is the down to earth day to day message that Christ was carrying?
1. Foremost, the psychological guilt we feel due to our never ending failures (mine at least) is “forgiven”. Accordingly, we should then forgive ourselves, so that we can forgive others. It’s a tough one. That is how humans heal each other. It seems the psychological aspects of the forgiveness of guilt is the practical application.
2. If I told you all the mysteries of existence and non-existence, what would it matter? In the end everyone needs a hug. They may not tell you they need a hug, but they do. You may not tell them you need a hug, but you do.
ps
if you f@ck with the kids ye shall surely die.